Pre-configured backup dvd-rws

ABSTRACT

Automated computer backup to a DVD. A DVD backup disc contains a backup program that executes upon insertion of the DVD in a computer. The DVD is preconfigured with a computer program having computer executable instructions for determining data to be stored. The DVD also contains instructions for transferring the data to the back-up disc; and instructions for identifying the data transferred to the backup disc. A method of archiving data in a computer to a high-density optical backup disc is therefore provided by reading an executable command from a back-up disc, determining data to store to the back-up disc responsive to the command, transferring the data to the backup disc, and identifying the data transferred to the backup disc.

The invention relates to computer and media systems and moreparticularly to systems and methods for providing computer system dataand media archiving.

Computer systems have become a ubiquitous feature of many homes andbusinesses. As personal computers gain wider acceptance in homes, manycompanies seek to integrate computers into a wider array of integrateddevices that include computing, video and music capabilities. Anintegrated media system may augment or replace several devices thatprovide media such as Internet devices, video and audio replay andstorage devices, telephones and computers.

Personal computers have utilized various schemes for backing up files.Various systems used for backup include external tape drives, networkswith server computers configured to back up files and programs for timedbackup to a hard drive. However, each of the foregoing systems requiresthe installation, configuration and maintenance of a dedicated back-upprogram on a computer. Indeed, one of the more frustrating endeavors fora home computer user is the installation and configuration of varioussafety programs such as virus scans, firewalls and backup programs.Typically, such backup mechanisms indiscriminately backup an entirehard-disk, while a typical consumer is only interested in safeguardingspecific content on the disk, rather than generic files such as, forexample, operating system files. Additionally, many computer backupprograms operate very slowly due to allowable transfer rates and storagedevice limitations. Furthermore, very high capacity hard disc drives arebecoming common, further burdening the task of performing a computerbackup operation. It would be desirable to provide a system and methodfor archiving data that overcomes these and other limitations.

A method of archiving data in a computer to a high-density opticalbackup disc is provided. The method provides for reading an executablecommand from a back-up disc, determining data to store to the back-updisc responsive to the command, transferring the data to the backup discand identifying the data transferred to the backup disc.

The invention also provides a computer readable high-density opticalback-up disc containing a computer program having computer executableinstructions. The computer program includes instructions for determiningdata to be stored; for transferring the data to the back-up disc and foridentifying the data transferred to the backup disc.

The invention further provides a system for archiving data in a computerto a high-density optical backup disc. The system includes means forreading an executable command from a back-up disc; means for determiningdata to store to the back-up disc responsive to the command; means fortransferring the data to the backup disc; and means for identifying thedata transferred to the backup disc.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention areapparent from the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Thedetailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of theinvention rather than limiting, the scope of the invention being definedby the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preconfigured backup disc;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system thatmay be used with the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for archiving data in acomputer to a high-density optical backup disc.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preconfigured backup disc. FIG. 1 shows abackup disc 100 comprising an executable command 120, and a data storageregion 130. The data storage region 130 is shown comprising stored data131, and a data identity record 132.

The backup disc 100 is a single-purpose DVD disc that is configured foruse as a self-contained data archiving system for a computer system. Thebackup DVD 100 is generally fabricated of a recordable DVD disc such asa DVD-R, a DVD-RW, a DVD+RW, or a blue-laser-type recordable DVD discsuch as Blu-Ray. Blue laser DVD discs include ultraviolet wavelength andblue-shifted short wavelength DVD discs that utilize a read/write laserwavelength of approximately 550-350 nm rather than the 650-630 nm offirst-generation DVDs.

As shown in FIG. 1, the backup disc 100 comprises a data storage region130, and an executable command. The executable command 120 is aself-executing program instruction set that runs when the backup disc100 is first inserted into and then read by a compatible DVD drive. Theexecutable command 120 generally includes instructions to a processor.In one embodiment, the executable command is an executable scriptsuitable for parsing. In another embodiment, the executable command is astring recognizable to a program pre-loaded to a computer. For example,the command 120 may include instructions to transfer data to the backupDVD and to create an identification record of the data copied to theDVD. In one embodiment, the executable command 120 includes instructionsfor determining a computer system configuration. The executable command120 may also contain instructions to search a computer for a record ofprior backup activity with another backup disc 100. In anotherembodiment, the executable command 120 contains instructions todetermine whether the backup disc has enough capacity to hold all of thedata that will be transferred to the backup disc 100 during a backupoperation. The executable command 120 is a complete instruction set thatdoes not require a permanent installation to a computer to providecomplete functionality. In one embodiment, a compression utility isincluded with the executable command 120 to increase the data capacityof the backup disc 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the data storage region 130 comprises stored data131 and a data identity record 132. The data storage region 130 is awritable portion of the DVD that is reserved for data storage. Types ofdata stored in the data storage region 130 include computer files, mediafiles, stack pointers, data records and the like. The stored data 131 isgenerally data files transferred from a computer system, such as thecomputer system 200 described in FIG. 2. The data identity record 132 isgenerally a file containing information about stored data 131, such asthe data origin, data type, data file size and other identifyinginformation. The data identity record 132 provides a record of data thathas been transferred from a computer to the data storage region.

The data storage capacity of a DVD disc, particularly a short-wavelengthDVD, is very large. Uncompressed data capacities of 50 gigabytes or morefor dual-layer or two-sided DVDs is known to those skilled art. In oneembodiment, data compression methods are provided to backup an entirecomputer system with a single backup disc 100 at transfer rates of 36Megabits/second or more.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system 200that may be used with the invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a computersystem 200 containing an I/O device 210; a processor 220; a userinterface 230; memory 240; a display 250; DVD drive 260; a bus 290; andmass storage 270. Mass storage 270 includes database 275, restoreprogram 276 and an operating system 277. In FIG. 2, I/O device 210,processor 220, user interface 230, memory 240, display 250, DVD drive260 and mass storage 270 are all shown coupled to bus 290. The I/Odevice 210 is additionally shown enabled for communication external tocomputer system 200.

The I/O device 210 is a device capable of bidirectional datacommunication with a device external to the computer system 200.Examples of I/O devices include serial, parallel, USB, Ethernet and IEEE802.11 compliant wireless devices.

The processor 220 is a computing device usually containing memory anddata control capability, such as caching and the like. The processor 220may be integrated with supporting hardware such as, for example, a videocontroller, a storage device controller and the like. The processor 220generally executes instructions of a computer program, for example,instructions for restore program 276, or instruction on a DVD disc suchas backup disc 100.

The user interface 230 is a device such as a keyboard, a mouse, apointing device, a pen, a microphone or another device used to provide atactile data entry interface with a user of the computer system 200.

The memory 240 is a hardware or virtual storage for computer code anddata that the processor is manipulating. Memory 240 includes all dynamicmemory external to the processor including video memory, additionalcache memory and the like. Portions of mass storage 270 may also be usedto provide virtual memory that may be used interchangeably with thememory 240.

The display 250 is a visual display such as a CRT, LCD, plasma orprojection display used to provide a user with a visual interface withthe computer system 200.

The DVD drive 260 is any writable DVD device that provides ahigh-density recordable optical medium for storing computer code or datasuch as a DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, Blu-Ray and the like.

The mass storage 270 is any device that provides storage for computercode and data such as, for example, a hard disk drive a recordableoptical medium and the like. In one embodiment, mass storage 270 isprovided by a second computer server system over a network (not shown).The mass storage generally contains the operating system 277, programssuch as restore program 276 and may also include database 275. Therestore program 276 operates in conjunction with a backup disc to readdata from the backup disc and restore damaged or lost files to thecomputer 200.

The bus 290 is a bidirectional communication device that enables datacommunication between the various devices of computer system 200. Thebus 290 may include a processor and other logic devices to enablemultiple data clock speeds and protocols depending upon the connecteddevices.

In one embodiment, additional components (not shown) are included incomputer system 200 to configure the computer system 200 as anintegrated media center. Additional components may include a televisionreceiver having analog and digital input and output connections, anaudio and video switching and control system, a high-capacity hard-diskdrive for digital audio and video data storage, and audio and videoamplification, interface, and signal processing components, and thelike.

In the following process description, some steps may be combined,performed simultaneously, or in a different order without departing fromthe invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for archiving data in acomputer to a high-density optical backup disc. Process 300 begins atstep 320. In step 320, an executable command is read from a backup discsuch as backup disc 100. The backup disc 100 is read after insertioninto a compatible DVD drive of a computer such as computer system 200.The computer system 200 directs the DVD drive 260 to read the executablecommand 120. Once the executable command 120 is read, the executablecommand 120 directs the computer processor 220 to execute a series ofinstruction sets comprising a backup process. Generally, variousinstruction sets are loaded to the computer memory 240 in order to runvarious routines. However, the instruction sets are not loaded to massstorage 270, but are run from the backup disc 100. Instruction sets forbackup processes are well known to those skilled in the art.

In step 340, data to be stored to the backup disc is determined. Oncethe executable command 120 is read in step 320, a series of instructionsets executes to determine data to be stored to the backup disc 100. Inone embodiment, the data storage components of the computer 200 aredetermined and all data residing on the storage components are selectedfor storage to the backup disc 100. In one embodiment, a user isprompted by an instruction set to select data types to be stored. Theuser selections then determine specific data types to store to thebackup disc. The user may be prompted for other options such as datarestoration or data access. In yet another embodiment, a user specifiesonce which file-types to backup. The user preferences are stored in thecomputer 200 and can be looked for by the command 120 after insertion ofthe backup disc 100 into a compatible disc drive. In another embodiment,all media files found on the computer are determined for storage. Mediafiles include audio and video data types. In yet another embodiment, allvideo files found on an integrated media computer 200 are determined forstorage. A backup of a dedicated video data hard disc drive using theinvention therefore provides a simple media management solution. In oneembodiment, all operating system files 277 and associated records anddatabases found are ignored while other data is determined for storage.In another embodiment, an instruction set searches for a data identityrecord 131 that has been copied to the computer 200.

In step 360, data is transferred to the backup disc. The transferreddata is written to the backup disc by the DVD drive 260. A datacompression algorithm may be used during the transfer to increase thedata capacity of the backup disc. Data is transferred when it isdetermined for storage, and transfer of determined data may occur whileother data is being determined for storage. Transfer of data is completewhen the determined data are all transferred to the backup disc, or thebackup disc is full and cannot hold more data. In one embodiment, when abackup disc is determined to be full, the backup disc is ejected. Inanother embodiment, a user is prompted to insert another backup disc tocomplete a system backup if a backup disc becomes full. In yet anotherembodiment, transfer of data resumes after a disc has been ejected andan empty backup disc is inserted into the DVD drive 260. In yet anotherembodiment, data may be re-ordered for backup, such that a data set doesnot span multiple discs and discs are as full as possible

In step 380, data transferred to the backup disc is identified.Identification of the transferred data includes information such as thedata origin, data type, data file size and status as transferred data.In one embodiment, a data identity record 132 is written to the backupdisc as the determined data is transferred to the backup disc in step360. The data identity record 132 enables a user to insert a disk andretrieve the contents of all earlier disks. In another embodiment, acopy of the data identity record is transferred to a storage device onthe computer system 200 when the transfer of determined data iscomplete.

An example of the system of the invention in use is now provided. Anintegrated multimedia system is installed in a consumer's home. Theintegrated console combines audio, video and computing functions into anintegrated device. One capability of the integrated console is therecording of real-time video programming from a cable or broadcastsignal for later viewing by a user. Video programming creates very largedata files, and therefore the console has a limited amount of capacityto store programming. A user records six favorite shows per week forlater viewing, but also desires to keep several of the recorded showseach week for later re-viewing. Each week the system user inserts abackup disc into the console to backup the saved programming. Onceinserted into the DVD drive the backup disc is read and the backupprocess executes automatically. The console may prompt the user forselection of media types, or may be preconfigured to only backup mediafiles or video files. The backup process concludes when the videoprogramming is transferred to the backup disc, and the disc is thenejected. The same backup disc may be used repeatedly until the disc isfull. The weekly video programming is therefore stored to the backupdisc creating an archive of programming for later viewing, and simplemedia management is accomplished. The user may then record over theshows recorded to the console.

In another example, an office worker performs a weekly computer backup.The worker inserts a backup disc into the computer. The backup disc isread, and executes the backup process. The backup process transfers theentire data contents of the computer, except for operating systeminformation. A robust and reliable copy of the computer contents arerecorded to the backup disc in case of catastrophic data loss on thecomputer. The computer is burned up in a fire the next week. A secondcomputer with a complete operating system and having a restore programloaded may then read the backup disc and recover the entire contents ofthe lost computer.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur tothose skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the inventionbe limited only in terms of the appended claims.

1. A method of archiving data in a computer to a high-density opticalbackup disc comprising: reading an executable command from a back-updisc; determining data to store to the back-up disc responsive to thecommand; transferring the data to the backup disc; and identifying thedata transferred to the backup disc.
 2. The method of claim 1 whereinthe backup disc is read after insertion into a compatible disc drive ofa computer.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the backup disc is selectedfrom the group consisting of a DVD-R, a DVD-RW, DVD+RW and a recordableblue-laser DVD.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein determining data tostore to the back-up disc comprises selecting data for storing that hasnot been identified as transferred.
 5. The method of claim 4 whereinonly media files are selected for storing.
 6. The method of claim 5wherein only video files are selected for storing.
 7. The method ofclaim 2 wherein transferring the data to the backup disc includeswriting the data to the backup disc.
 8. The method of claim 7 whereinthe backup disc is ejected when the disc is filled with the data.
 9. Themethod of claim 8 further comprising prompting a user to insert adata-empty backup disc after the data-filled backup disc is ejected. 10.A computer readable high-density optical back-up disc containing acomputer program comprising: computer readable code for determining datato be stored; computer readable code for transferring the data to theback-up disc; and computer readable code for identifying the datatransferred to the backup disc.
 11. The backup disc of claim 10 whereinthe backup disc is read after insertion into a compatible disc drive ofa computer.
 12. The backup disc of claim 2 wherein the backup disc isselected from the group consisting of a DVD-R, a DVD-RW, DVD+RW and arecordable blue-laser DVD.
 13. The backup disc of claim 2 whereindetermining data for storing to the back-up disc comprises selectingdata that has not been identified as transferred.
 14. The backup disc ofclaim 4 wherein only media files are selected for storing.
 15. Thebackup disc of claim 5 wherein only video files are selected forstoring.
 16. The backup disc of claim 2 wherein transferring the data tothe backup disc includes writing the data to the backup disc.
 17. Thebackup disc of claim 7 wherein the backup disc is ejected when the discis filled with the data.
 18. The backup disc of claim 8 furthercomprising prompting a user to insert a data-empty backup disc after thedata-filled backup disc is ejected.
 19. A system for archiving data in acomputer to a high-density optical backup disc comprising: means forreading an executable command from a back-up disc; means for determiningdata to store to the back-up disc responsive to the command; means fortransferring the data to the backup disc; and means for identifying thedata transferred to the backup disc.